Okanagan drivers subsidize policing and community-based public safety programs to the tune of $4.3 million, compliments of B.C.’s Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program.

The money was collected by police through 2007 from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets.

It was returned by the government through the grant program, to 11 Southern Interior municipalities including Penticton, Vernon and Kelowna.

Kelowna received the most money with just under $1.5 million, Vernon got just under $600,000, Penticton just under $500,000 and Summerland received a little over $60,000 back in traffic fine revenues.

In 2004, the revenue sharing program was adjusted so local governments would get 100 percent of their own traffic fine revenues. “Since we expanded this program, we’ve returned over $210 million in additional funding to British Columbia communities,” says Community Services Minister Ida Chong.

Local governments have used the money to invest in policing and community-based public safety programs. Last year, the funds helped area communities hire 560 new police officers.